Novell's
Linux versus Vista comparison site has been officially launched, just as
Shane prematurely indicated a couple of days ago. Meanwhile, the entire World Wide Web is speaking about Europe's latest study which proves
Open Source software saves money. This is proving to be a real threat to Novell's new deal partner.
Hours ago
I discovered, through a Microsoft Most Valued Professional (MVP) who submits thousands of items to Digg (mostly pro-Microsoft, which makes you wonder), that the Yankee Group is conducting a new
Linux versus Windows survey. Sounds benign, does it not? It might, unless you already know the history of the Yankee Group. They are often accused of becoming and acting as merely a Microsoft sockpuppet (see
slang definition). Microsoft spreads its word through third parties, as means as avoiding customer alienation, as well as gaining credibility.
This particular nugget of information aligns with the words of Mary Jo Foley/Microsoft Blog. Therein she argued that a new Microsoft-commissioned, anti-Linux study
is set to debut.
Let us take a careful quick look at The Yankee Group again. The firm conducted the notorious Get the Facts campaign, which has been revolving widely around the Web for a long time, even
invading Web sites such as Slashdot. This anti-Linux crusade uses no credible data (a perfect fit for the
Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics proverb). In fact, here is
one recent criticism of the validity of this 'study'. Microsoft-Watch recently
explained this well, albeit in a different context:
Research firms aren't in the business of giving away information to the news media, but selling it to clients. The information provided to the press should be incomplete.
There are many
other studies that are commissioned by Microsoft amid this time of rising criticism and endless pressure. These prove that money can buy repution (recall the
blogger/laptop backlack), or even spread lies (or to the commissioner---biased truth).
Lastly, I would like to add that Martin Taylor, the man who headed Microsoft's anti-Linux crusade, left the company without stating a reason for departure. That happened several months ago. And yet, a Yankee Group lead analyst (or one among them) -- one who is responsible for the Get the Facts campaign -- as already expressed her true sentiments when it comes to Linux and Open Source software.
An example of her opinion on how Open Source Software is handled shows in this remark (quoted from a phone interview from her home in Massachusetts): "The thing about Linux is, you can talk about a free, open operating system all you want, but you can't take that idea of free and open and put it into a capitalist system and maintain it as though it is some kind of hippie commune or ashram, because if you can do it like that, at that point I'm like, 'Pass the hookah please!'" [1]
Even recently, after admitting that a SCO victory in their case against IBM seemed like an extreme longshot, Didio said, "There is a larger issue, though: Even if the SCO case gets dismissed entirely, it does not remove the copyright cloud hanging over Linux and open source." [2]
[...]
Unsurprisingly, Linux advocates have in response heavily criticised DiDio. Typical criticisms are a lack of formal Computer Science qualifications and promoting studies funded by Microsoft; frequently this has resulted in questioning of her integrity and her being characterised as "a Microsoft shill".
Can the study from the Yankee Group provide results from a fair assessment?
Returning to the point which started this ramble, prepare for
another storm of disinformation, often motored by MVP's, such as the guy advertising this new study from the Yankee Group. The flood of
professional and
online shills is clearly bound to continue. It is
history's lesson, as well.
Comments
Rex Ballard
2007-01-20 22:56:11
Darth Chaos
2007-01-21 03:28:18
your conscious
2007-01-21 03:32:07
Roy Schestowitz
2007-01-21 08:04:39
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll
Mark Kent
2007-01-21 12:28:40
Roy Schestowitz
2007-01-21 12:35:22
Rex Ballard
2007-01-21 16:43:12
Mark Kent
2007-01-22 08:12:12
This is the real Mark Kent.
I suppose I should be honoured that Gary Stewart (80% prob) or Scott Nudds (15% prob) have decided to start impersonating me again... ah, it must be love!
Best regards all,
Mark K.
Mark Kent
2007-01-22 11:29:25
Roger Daltry
2007-01-22 20:12:42
Then again, this is probably some ignorant college student or juvenile posting from his mothers computer while she was out shopping.
Roy Schestowitz
2007-01-22 21:23:57
And again that same single troll who changes names and comes to discredit. Gary Stewart, is that you?
John Entwistle
2007-01-23 00:55:01
Roy Schestowitz
2007-01-23 08:02:57
It's the same sick troll pretending to be a crowd.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_sockpuppet
You
2007-01-23 11:34:22
shane
2007-01-23 14:24:41
Also, the CTR is not what you think, Firefox and Adblock lead to virtually no views via BN, and the site averages about $.60 per day on adsense over the 3 month period. It's enough to ensure that the site can support itself, but this is not making us any money.
Roy is above reproach in this regard, sorry to disappoint. If you want to question my impartiality due to the presence of advertising on the site, that is fine. It can't be any worse than being paid to edit Wikipedia ;^ ).
Oh, and Wordpress records IP's on comments, so it is trivial to determine if it is the same person posting under numerous pseudonyms, which is certainly the case here having posted as Kent/Ballard/Entwistle/You all from the same IP.
Roy Schestowitz
2007-01-23 16:45:47
Groklaw adopted a constructive approach a very long time ago. Even a post from Linus got purged for the use of strong language. Groklaw is democratic and encourages freedom of speech. Pseudonames and personal attacks, on the other hand, are trolling, not expression.